Jesus And The Law
Jesus and His Relationship to the Law
Key Verse: Matthew 5:17 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
Jesus' relationship with the Law was often misunderstood by the Jewish religious leaders of His time. They accused Him of blasphemy for claiming to forgive sins and asserting His divine authority as the Son of God. They saw His actions as a violation of the Law of Moses, which reserved the power to forgive sins for God alone. Additionally, Jesus' association with sinners and His perceived disregard for Sabbath rules further fueled their accusations.
The Jewish religious leaders, particularly the Sanhedrin and its high priest Caiaphas, eventually charged Jesus with blasphemy and handed him over to the Romans for crucifixion. But what was Jesus’ true relationship with the Law? Was He a Lawbreaker as they accused Him of? What does the scripture say?
Jesus Fulfills the Law by Completing the Biblical Story: Jesus did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. This means more than just obedience; it means He was the only one who could accomplish God’s purpose and be a Savior to humanity. In fact, He was the only one who could complete the story of the Redeemer found in the Scriptures. The Law and Prophets (Old Testament) spoke of a time when God would heal the world through one person. Jesus says: I am that person (Matthew 5:17).
Jesus as the Completion of a Long-Anticipated Promise: We often speak of our “promise-keeping God” (Psalm 145:13). “The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does.” Jesus came as the fulfillment of these promises. He succeeded where others fell short. From the beginning, humanity disobeyed (Genesis 1:1; 3). Moses and Israel tried to partner with God but also fell short (Exodus 4–10). Jesus came to live with us as a man and succeeded where they failed. On the road to Emmaus, the risen Christ explained Himself to the men He was walking with showing clearly that He is the fulfillment of these promises beginning at Moses and the Prophets (Luke 24:25-27).
Further proof of Jesus fulfilling the Law is found in His early life. A life that is mirrored in Israel’s story.
Unlike Israel's failing in following God, Jesus remained faithful.
Jesus Also Teaches Us Our Part in Fulfilling the Law and the Prophets: In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), Jesus begins with the Beatitudes, a vision of the Kingdom (Matthew 5:1–12).
He teaches a specific righteousness based on love of God and neighbor. In this same chapter Jesus intensifies the Law’s commandments by saying, “you’ve heard it said” (e.g., murder → adultery → divorce) (Matthew 5:21-48). Teaching that avoiding sin is not enough; we must live in love. For example, don’t just avoid murder—love others fully.
Living in Love as the Law’s Fulfillment: Jesus calls us to be a light and reveal God’s Kingdom (Matthew 5:14–16). He summarizes the Law and Prophets with the command to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37–40). Love also defines discipleship when He said, "they will know you are my disciples by the way you love one another". (John 13:34–35; 17:20–26). Paul echoes this in his letters, stating that love fulfills the law (Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:8–10). Love is not just the absence of doing evil but the active presence of God’s will in us and lived out through us to those around us.
The Two Greatest Commandments Sum It All Up: Jesus sums up the Law and the Prophets with the Golden Rule: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). He emphasizes the greatest commandments: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37–40).
From Genesis to the Prophets, God was preparing the way. Jesus is the promised One who brings healing. To follow Jesus is to join God in the Kingdom on Earth. Jesus fulfilled the Law and Prophets by living in God’s will. Living in the way of Jesus is how we fill full the Law and the Prophets.
The apostle Paul’s words from Romans 13:10 are good for us the remember, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Credit: Ron Kelley
Key Verse: Matthew 5:17 “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
Jesus' relationship with the Law was often misunderstood by the Jewish religious leaders of His time. They accused Him of blasphemy for claiming to forgive sins and asserting His divine authority as the Son of God. They saw His actions as a violation of the Law of Moses, which reserved the power to forgive sins for God alone. Additionally, Jesus' association with sinners and His perceived disregard for Sabbath rules further fueled their accusations.
The Jewish religious leaders, particularly the Sanhedrin and its high priest Caiaphas, eventually charged Jesus with blasphemy and handed him over to the Romans for crucifixion. But what was Jesus’ true relationship with the Law? Was He a Lawbreaker as they accused Him of? What does the scripture say?
Jesus Fulfills the Law by Completing the Biblical Story: Jesus did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. This means more than just obedience; it means He was the only one who could accomplish God’s purpose and be a Savior to humanity. In fact, He was the only one who could complete the story of the Redeemer found in the Scriptures. The Law and Prophets (Old Testament) spoke of a time when God would heal the world through one person. Jesus says: I am that person (Matthew 5:17).
Jesus as the Completion of a Long-Anticipated Promise: We often speak of our “promise-keeping God” (Psalm 145:13). “The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does.” Jesus came as the fulfillment of these promises. He succeeded where others fell short. From the beginning, humanity disobeyed (Genesis 1:1; 3). Moses and Israel tried to partner with God but also fell short (Exodus 4–10). Jesus came to live with us as a man and succeeded where they failed. On the road to Emmaus, the risen Christ explained Himself to the men He was walking with showing clearly that He is the fulfillment of these promises beginning at Moses and the Prophets (Luke 24:25-27).
Further proof of Jesus fulfilling the Law is found in His early life. A life that is mirrored in Israel’s story.
- Herod's killing of male infants (Matthew 2) parallels Pharaoh's actions (Exodus 1:22).
- Jesus' flight to Egypt and return (Matthew 2) mirrors Moses' journey (Exodus 4:18-19).
- Jesus' baptism in the Jordan (Matthew 3) parallels Israel's crossing of the Red Sea.
- Jesus' testing in the wilderness (Matthew 4) mirrors Israel's journey in the wilderness.
Unlike Israel's failing in following God, Jesus remained faithful.
Jesus Also Teaches Us Our Part in Fulfilling the Law and the Prophets: In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), Jesus begins with the Beatitudes, a vision of the Kingdom (Matthew 5:1–12).
He teaches a specific righteousness based on love of God and neighbor. In this same chapter Jesus intensifies the Law’s commandments by saying, “you’ve heard it said” (e.g., murder → adultery → divorce) (Matthew 5:21-48). Teaching that avoiding sin is not enough; we must live in love. For example, don’t just avoid murder—love others fully.
Living in Love as the Law’s Fulfillment: Jesus calls us to be a light and reveal God’s Kingdom (Matthew 5:14–16). He summarizes the Law and Prophets with the command to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37–40). Love also defines discipleship when He said, "they will know you are my disciples by the way you love one another". (John 13:34–35; 17:20–26). Paul echoes this in his letters, stating that love fulfills the law (Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:8–10). Love is not just the absence of doing evil but the active presence of God’s will in us and lived out through us to those around us.
The Two Greatest Commandments Sum It All Up: Jesus sums up the Law and the Prophets with the Golden Rule: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). He emphasizes the greatest commandments: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37–40).
From Genesis to the Prophets, God was preparing the way. Jesus is the promised One who brings healing. To follow Jesus is to join God in the Kingdom on Earth. Jesus fulfilled the Law and Prophets by living in God’s will. Living in the way of Jesus is how we fill full the Law and the Prophets.
The apostle Paul’s words from Romans 13:10 are good for us the remember, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Credit: Ron Kelley
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